Si King |
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Si King is a big, blonde-bearded biker from Newcastle, where he lives with his partner and three children. His infectious laugh and friendly charm have served him well for many years working as a first assistant director and locations manager for film and television, recently working on the Harry Potter films. He is, alongside Dave Myers, one half of the Hairy Bikers. Hairy Bikers cookbooks published by Penguin include the Hairy Bikers' Cookbook and the Hairy Bikers Ride Again.
Will the printed word endure?
I came to reading quite late at the age of 17 until then I thought it was a chore, a way for the educational establishment to impart uninteresting information that had little or no relevance to me or the world I lived in. Then I read Kes and it turned me on to the printed word and in turn that introduced me to a place in my head full of images, places and characters I recognised. Only the printed word translates images and places that are exclusively yours. Yes the printed word will endure.
Which newspaper do you read?
As many and varied as possible just to keep in touch with the oppositions propaganda
Who is your biggest influence?
My family, friends the people I meet when travelling
What books are you reading at the moment?
The Silver Spoon Cookbook, Lemmy’s White Line Fever and The Bookseller of Kabul.
What books did you read as a child?
Billy the Bugler (It was read to me LOTS! I loved it)
Which literary character would you most like to meet?
John Moschos the Byzantine monk, traveller and oral historian
Which authors do you most admire?
William Dalrymple springs to mind, Roald Dahl, Ernesto Guevara de la Serna, there are so many.
Where do you do most of your writing?
While I’m on the road travelling and then structure the text when I get home to Newcastle
What’s your favourite word/book?
My favourite word has to be the Gaelic slang word Gawlawaddy a word the Irish lads I worked with used in a derogatory manner when describing someone’s work rate. I think it means dog’s fanny, but I may be wrong. My favourite book - From the Holy Mountain by William Dalrymple
Have you ever had any other jobs apart from writing?
Yes, Stacked shelves in Savacentre in Washington (not DC) on nightshift, paved Gateshead High Street. Had a year on a CP scheme writing radio scripts for local community radio. Worked as a tar spreader waterproofing motorway bridge decks, worked on the M6 motorway with a muck shifting crew. Started as a runner on TV programs then went on to become a First Assistant Director and finally a Locations Manager for film and TV companies.
Who or what always puts a smile on your face?
My wife, my children, great food, motorbikes, North Shields Fish Quay, the Tyne Bridge, people and travel.
What’s your earliest memory?
Eating a boiled egg with my grandfather I was 2
What is your greatest fear?
Failing to broaden the horizons of my children
How would you like to be remembered?
With a smile and a laugh
Have you even done something you’ve really regretted?
No
How do you spoil yourself?
Eat Deleval Ice Cream it’s produced by a lovely Italian lady in Whitley Bay
Who do you turn to in a crisis?
My Family and friends
What makes you angry?
Children’s Menu’s, Greed, The Nanny State, The Blame and Claim Culture, UK & America’s foreign policy, I could go on and on...
Are you in love?
Yes
What are you proudest of?
My Children
Where’s your favourite city?
Newcastle upon Tyne
When was the last time you cried?
Yesterday
One wish; what would it be?
Peace and Ham and Pease Pudding Sandwiches for everyone
Did you enjoy school?
Hell NO!
What's your worst habit?
Smoking, picking my toe nails (not at the same time, I hasten to add)
What makes you mad!
Same thing as makes me angry
Have you ever broken the law?
Yes, there are so many of them it’s really easy. A healthy disrespect for authority will keep a society asking questions of itself and the establishment.
Have you got a party trick?
I can make my head explode with the aid of a pane of glass !!!!!!
Do you have any nicknames?
Kingy
Do you have any unfulfilled ambitions? (Bit of a Miss World Question this one)
I’d like to own a house near my sister in Italy. Travel the world in a VW Camper with my wife and children and have unlimited time to do it.
